Shraman SS: The Contract: Part (6/6) Updated Pg 13 - Complete - Page 2

Awesome update 👍🏼 Do continue soon

Originally posted by: agrawalrk

Awesome update 👍🏼 Do continue soon

Originally posted by: pinky.padda

on my god
on their honeymoon
so funny
absolutely loved it
superb

Originally posted by: Nimik

Indirect honeymoon,haa😉?

Interesting!!

Originally posted by: Zenab78

Really nice update last part LOL pushkars reaction that was funny 😆

Part 3

Suman tapped her fingers against the armrest, already wondering how she was going to get through the next 14 hours.

It wasn't the flying that worried her - it was the man sitting next to her that she had once called a friend (and had once hoped to call hers). He stretched his legs out, no doubt grateful for the extra legroom in first class, and adjusted his seat until he seemed somewhat comfortable.

His hand shot out to cover hers, stopping the incessant tapping. "Relax, Sumo."

She felt her face grow warm at his touch, and silently berated herself for her reaction. If she couldn't get over an innocent gesture like that, there was no way she would get through the next 5 days.

"I'm relaxed," she insisted, trying to casually pull her hand back to her lap. She wasn't sure if she imagined the disappointment flicker in his eyes. "That's what this holiday is for, right?"

The real reason for their trip currently sat two rows ahead of them, blissfully unaware of the tumultuous relationship between their respective cousins. It had been wedding to remember (or for those more inclined towards the bottle, not remember), and despite the doomsday predictions of certain members of the family, went off smoothly, in a blur of ceremonies and rituals, with little cause for complaint on both sides.

Needless to say, some people still loved to complain regardless, but their words did little to disturb the happiness of those involved.

Time had flown by, and before she knew it, Suman found herself having to pack for a trip she had no desire to take, but had agreed to in order to look out for her younger sister once again. What Shravan thought, she couldn't tell (there was a time she would've known everything about him), but he didn't seem very perturbed by the thought of spending all that time with her in a tropical paradise. His father, on the other hand...

Perhaps sensing that he wasn't going to get much more out of her, Shravan put on his noise-canceling headphones and closed his eyes, shifting for a more comfortable spot under his blanket. She looked out the window into the inky black night, only to find her eyes drawn back to him.

How long had it been since she had looked at him, really looked at him? His easy smile often hid the burden of having to juggle his family's business, both professional and personal. She knew this wedding had been difficult for him, the dark circles under his eyes attesting to many sleepless nights to which she had probably contributed. His beard was thicker than usual, flecks of grey dotting his chin. She longed to ask him what he was frowning about, even in his sleep.

But it was exactly this line of thinking that she couldn't go down, not if she wanted her sister to be happy in her new home. Suman squeezed her eyes shut.

And then opened them, in what could have been minutes or hours later. Her cheeks burned when she realized what, or rather who, she was leaning against.

"Good morning," his deep voice rumbled straight down to her toes. "I wasn't sure you would ever stop snoring."

She pulled herself up with a start. "I don't snore."

"No," chuckled Shravan. "But you do drool."

Suman wiped frantically at her chin, only to see him shaking with barely controlled laughter.

"Stupid," she muttered, reverting back to her 12 year old self.

It had been far too long since they had laughed together, she realized with a pang.

The stewardess chose that moment to interrupt them, and Suman ignored the brush of her fingers against his as he passed her a cup of tea, choosing instead to fixate on the creamer that swirled in her cup.

"Sumo," he said softly.

Tears sprang to her eyes and she blinked them back furiously. She had survived for this long without him, seeing him in pain and being powerless to stop it. She could last a few more days.

"Sumo...look at me."

"What?" she snapped. All traces of humor were gone from his face, and he looked just as she felt - frustrated and weary.

"Do you think...just for this trip, we could be friends again?"

"I...what? We are friends."

He sighed. "You know, I've thought a lot about what I might have done that brought us to this point...and then I realized, if I had done something wrong, well, let's just say you've never been shy about letting me know."

She lowered her eyes, increasingly uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "I don't know what you mean."

He ignored her response. "So then I thought it must be something else. Maybe someone else?" She heard the frown in his voice. "But I've been so wrapped up in my own misery, it took me a long time to realize that you're unhappy too."

Suman looked up and was taken aback by the intensity in his eyes. "I..." she swallowed. "I can't."

His eyebrows furrowed deeper. "But Sumo..." Shravan swore, frustrated. He suddenly grabbed the napkin on his tray and began searching his pockets. Finding a pen, he started scribbling. She tried to crane her neck but couldn't see past his large hands. What was he doing? He was always rubbish at drawing.

"Sign here," he tapped at a large X.

"What is this?"

"A contract."

In his messy handwriting, she was able to make out the following:

I, Suman Tiwari (Sumo), hereby pledge to honor my friendship with Shravan Malhotra for the period of 5 (five) days from this date ________. There will be no questions or judgement of past misdeeds by either party and no expectations of future continuation of said pledge beyond this period.

She recognized what he was offering...a respite from the torture of the past few months, if only for the next few days.

"Where's yours?" she said after a long moment.

His lips curved upwards, slowly, and she felt as if a weight was lifting off her shoulders. "I'll have my associate draw up the papers."

"Your associate is on his honeymoon," she reminded him, while initialing at the designated spot.

"Then I guess you'll have to take my word for it." He grinned, tucking the napkin into his jacket. "I'll hold onto this for the next time you get mad at me."

"Excuse me? What do you mean, next time?"

"See? That was even quicker than I expected, Sumo."

She groaned, but even his dumb joke wasn't enough to dim the smile she tried to hide behind her teacup.

---

"Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra! Welcome to the Maldives! We have the honeymoon suite all ready for you."

"Oh! We're not - " Suman began, only to be interrupted by Lambu.

" - on our honeymoon," he finished. "That's my younger brother and his wife, just married," he motioned back to Pushkar and Preeti, who were busy admiring the lavishly decorated lobby. "Our usual suite would be fine for us."

"Of course, Mr. Malhotra." The manager checked his computer screen and gave them their keycards. "Right this way, your bags will be taken care of."

"Shravan!" she hissed as soon as the man was out of earshot. "We can't - "

"Trust me," he whispered back. "It will be fine." He put his arm around her shoulders, and they looked to the outside world the perfect picture of domestic bliss.

She tensed at the contact, trying to fight the instinct to lean into him, his chin resting just so on her head, his fingers wreaking havoc on her bare shoulders. If he noticed her reaction, he gave no indication of it.

Suman was plenty worked up by the time they reached their room, only to exhale in amazement as she took it all in.

The "usual" suite stretched out into multiple rooms in an open floor plan, all tastefully decorated. Large windows welcomed in the sunlight and the airy curtains hinted at a balcony just beyond their view. Shravan tipped the bellhop and closed the door.

"Wow," she said.

"I told you," he said. "This is where Lalaji and Chachiji usually stay, so much better than the regular rooms." He pointed to the sofa bed situated in front of the TV. "I'll sleep there, and you sleep there," he said, referring to the king bed in the other room.

"Um hello, Qutb Minar, that sofa is about a foot shorter than you."

"I'll adjust, yaar...wait until you see the view!"

She laughed at his boyish enthusiasm and followed him out to the balcony, where she could see the pristine beach meet the bright turquoise water. "Wow," she said again.

"Wait until you see it in the moonlight," he winked, leaving her standing there with her imagination in overdrive.

They had a quiet dinner alone at the resort restaurant, wanting to give the newlyweds as much privacy as possible. Suman felt a sense of calm settle over her as they fell back into old habits, his knack for predicting her order, her insistence that she could cook better than these so-called chefs. The warm breeze tousled his hair. He already looked more relaxed, sipping his beer as she regaled him with stories of her relatives' antics during the wedding.

But then, as she was enjoying a particularly decadent piece of chocolate cake, she opened her eyes to find him staring at her hungrily, as if he hadn't just finished a three course meal...and as if she was dessert.

Her mouth was suddenly dry, and reaching for her wine glass instead of her water glass, she perhaps gulped down more than she had intended. The warmth spread throughout her body. Was that the wine, she thought, or was it him that was making her head spin?

"Check please." Shravan's voice was rough as he flagged down their waiter. He peeked at her again from behind his impossibly long eyelashes.

It was him...definitely him.

---

Thank you all for reading and for the continued encouragement...hope to have the next part out soon.